Sigmund H. Abelson DDS

Dr. Sigmund H. Abelson '66 has joined the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry to provide strategic guidance and support as the school plans for the transition of its clinics and educational programs to a new San Francisco campus in the summer of 2014.

Abelson was named as Assistant Dean, Clinical Transition and Associate Professor, Dental Practice. He will collaborate with faculty, staff and students across departments and functions as the school moves forward in preparing for next year's move of its San Francisco clinics, which serve approximately 10,000 patients.

Abelson is a respected leader who brings decades of experience in dental education, clinical practice, administration and organizational management. He also has deep ties to the people, programs and culture at Pacific. A 1966 graduate of the Dugoni School, Abelson is a former regent of the University of the Pacific and a former member of the Pacific Dugoni Foundation board. In 2002, the Dugoni School's Alumni Association honored Abelson with its Medallion of Distinction, the Association's highest honor.

Abelson most recently held roles at the University of Southern California (USC) Ostrow School of Dentistry, including positions as the school's associate dean of clinical affairs and associate professor of clinical dentistry. He also served as acting dean of the USC Ostrow School of Dentistry from 2008 until 2009. Prior to USC, Abelson served as the associate director for governance, strategic development and component relations of the California Dental Association (CDA). He also was a speaker of the CDA House of Delegates for nine years. He is a fellow of the American and International Colleges of Dentistry, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and is a member the Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society.